Direct Support Staff

Perfect Care Inc.•Hampton, CT

12d•$19 - $20

About The Position

Direct Support Staff provide Recovery Assistant services to participants in their homes and other community settings. Services must be at least 15 minutes in duration and are delivered according to the participant’s Recovery Plan. The role supports participants who, because of a physical or psychiatric disability, are unable to complete certain activities independently, and may involve performing tasks for them or assisting or cueing them to participate. Support includes help with meal planning and preparation, shopping, housekeeping, basic household tasks, dressing, personal grooming, and hygiene. Staff also assist or cue participants in using emergency medical services, routine medical and dental services, prescribed medications, natural community supports, and healthy habits; maintaining social, family, and recreational involvement; and keeping personal commitments and appointments. The position includes support intended to help participants avoid risky behaviors, substance abuse, overspending, and unnecessary conflicts, as well as supportive, problem-solving discussions and companionship. Staff may escort participants to necessary appointments or personal business, read to or for them, and engage in or discuss recreational, hobby, or sports activities. Other activities may be directed toward reducing disability, restoring functioning, and supporting independent participation in social, interpersonal, family, or community activities and community reintegration. Staff may participate in waiver Recovery Plan development and quarterly update meetings when requested by the DMHAS Support Coordinator, and may travel with a participant while also engaged in a qualifying waiver service activity.

Requirements

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Have a valid Connecticut driver’s license or state-issued identification card.
Be registered with DMHAS as having completed an approved Recovery Assistant training program.
Have a criminal background check conducted within six months of application.
Meet any continuing education and/or training requirements set by DMHAS.

Responsibilities

Provide Recovery Assistant services lasting at least 15 minutes in the participant’s home and other community settings, according to the Recovery Plan.
Perform or assist with meal planning and preparation, shopping, housekeeping, and basic household tasks when the participant is unable to do them independently.
Assist or cue participants with dressing, personal grooming, and hygiene.
Assist or cue participants in the appropriate use of emergency medical services and routine medical and dental services.
Assist or cue participants in taking medications as prescribed, including self-administration.
Support healthy habits, including a healthy diet, exercise, and stress-alleviating behaviors.
Assist or cue participants in family, social, and recreational activities and in using natural community supports.
Help participants fulfill personal commitments and attend scheduled clinical, vocational, educational, and judicial or court appointments and meetings.
Assist or cue participants to avoid risky behaviors, substance abuse, overspending, and unnecessary conflicts.
Engage in supportive and problem-solving discussions and establish and maintain a helpful, supportive companionship relationship.
Escort participants to necessary medical, dental, or personal business appointments; read to or for participants; and engage in or discuss recreational, hobby, or sports activities.
Support activities that reduce disability, restore functioning, and promote independent participation in community life and reintegration.
Participate in waiver Recovery Plan development and quarterly update meetings when requested by the DMHAS Support Coordinator.
Travel with a participant when also engaged in a qualifying waiver service activity.